Where was Outlaw King filmed? Grab your virtual claymore! We’re hunting down the main filming locations in Scotland’s muddy, majestic Chris Pine playground.
Outlaw King (2018) drops us into 14th-century Scotland, where Robert the Bruce (played by a very grimy, very committed Chris Pine) says “nah” to English rule, watches his pals get wrecked, loses basically everything, and then becomes a guerrilla warfare kingpin.
After getting his ass handed to him at the Battle of Methven, Bruce flees to the hills, hides in caves, watches his brothers get executed, and somehow still finds the guts to rally the clans.
Florence Pugh plays his badass wife Elizabeth de Burgh (who spends most of the film imprisoned and still manages to be iconic), Aaron Taylor-Johnson is the unhinged legend James “Black Douglas” (a man so terrifying that English mothers used him as a bedtime bogeyman), and Billy Howle simpers perfectly as the future Edward II.
Think Braveheart but with better armor, no blue face paint, historical accuracy where it counts, and a whole lot more mud. The climax? The muddy masterpiece known as the Battle of Loudoun Hill, where 600 Scots somehow wrecked 3,000 English cavalry. Spoiler: the English don’t have a good time.
The cast also includes Stephen Dillane as a terrifyingly calm Edward I (the “Hammer of the Scots”), Tony Curran as the loyal Angus MacDonald, and James Cosmo as Robert Wishart, the bishop who basically greenlit the whole rebellion.
Table of Contents
🏴☠️ Outlaw King Filming Locations
From blood-soaked battlefields to misty castle ruins, here’s exactly where Outlaw King turned Scotland into a medieval movie wonderland.
🏰 Craigmillar Castle, Edinburgh
What was filmed: Bruce Castle and Kildrummy Castle. A full medieval village was built on the grounds – thatched roofs, muddy lanes, the works.
The production chose this spot because its L-plan layout and central courtyard create perfect “cornered rebel” energy. When Bruce is brooding or hosting tense family councils, this is the place.
Travel tips:
- Bus 42 from Edinburgh. £7.50 entry.
- The tower views of Arthur’s Seat are worth every penny.
- Go early to avoid school trips screaming through the dungeons.
👑 Linlithgow Palace, Falkirk
What was filmed: The coronation of Robert the Bruce (doubling as Scone) and Perth Castle courtyard scenes.
This was Mary, Queen of Scots‘ birthplace, but in Outlaw King, it’s where Bruce is crowned and immediately realizes that being king means everyone wants him dead. The great hall’s grand architecture made Edward’s English forces look suitably imposing.
Travel tips:
- Free parking (yes, really).
- The palace is a ruin now, so use your imagination – or the excellent audio guide.
- The surrounding park is perfect for a “I just stood in history” picnic.
⛓️ Blackness Castle, Falkirk
What was filmed: The Yorkshire Castle, where Elizabeth de Burgh is imprisoned in an iron cage over the sea.
The castle’s ship-like shape (long and narrow) made it perfect for a cramped, miserable English stronghold. Historically, Elizabeth wasn’t caged – that was Bruce’s sister – but the visual was too powerful to skip.
Travel tips:
- That wind off the Firth of Forth is NOT joking. Bring a coat, hat, and possibly a will to live.
- The “ship” shape means great photo ops from the bow (yes, castles have bows here).
🔥 Doune Castle, Stirling
What was filmed: Castle Douglas, the burning ancestral home of James Douglas.
This is where Aaron Taylor-Johnson‘s character watches his inheritance go up in flames and decides to become the most vengeful man in Scotland. The courtyard was perfect for the “we’re burning everything you love” scene.
Travel tips:
- Monty Python and the Holy Grail fans – yes, this is THAT castle.
- The audio tour features Terry Jones.
- Also used in Outlander (because of course).
- £9 entry, worth every groat.
🏝️ Isle of Skye (Talisker Bay, Coral Beach, Loch Dunvegan)
What was filmed: Coastal scenes set on the Isle of Islay.
- Talisker Bay‘s black volcanic sands create a moody, otherworldly backdrop. It requires a 20-minute walk from the car park.
- Coral Beach (yes, white sand in Scotland) gave the film a shocking moment of beauty amid the brutality. Free, but parking fills up by 9 AM.
- Loch Dunvegan‘s rugged shoreline made the Scottish coastline look as untamable as the rebels themselves. Best seen by boat tour – or just stand dramatically on the shore like Chris Pine.
Travel tip: MIDGES. Bring industrial repellent or become a human sacrifice.
⛰️ Glen Coe & Ballachulish
What was filmed: Bruce’s army traveling through the Highlands. These sweeping shots of exhausted, mud-caked men trudging through impossibly beautiful valleys? That’s Glen Coe being its usual moody self.
The 1692 massacre here (real history) gave the place a haunting energy the film borrowed freely. Ballachulish provided the transitional “we’re almost there” landscape shots.
Travel tips:
- Glen Coe is free to drive through.
- Stop at the visitor center for the massacre history (heavy stuff, but important).
- Don’t stop in the middle of the road for selfies – locals will curse you in Gaelic.
- Ballachulish has a great fish-and-chips spot called The Lochleven.
🏞️ Loch Lomond
What was filmed: The Battle of Methven – Bruce’s humiliating defeat, where he loses most of his army and barely escapes with his life.
The loch’s wide, exposed banks made the English cavalry charge look inevitable and terrifying. Historically, Methven happened near Perth, but Lomond’s dramatic scale worked better for cinema.
Travel tips:
- The eastern shore (Balloch side) is busiest. Go west to Luss for quieter vibes.
- Paddleboarding is available if you want to reenact Methven while hungover.
- Parking is £3-5, depending on the lot.
- Avoid August unless you love crowds.
🌲 Loch an Eilein, Aviemore
What was filmed: The scene where the Scots attempt to cross a loch and are ambushed. That gorgeous, terrifying sequence – with men wading through freezing water while arrows rain down – happened right here in the Cairngorms.
The loch’s small island castle (13th century) appears in the background, reminding everyone that Scotland has been fighting forever.
Travel tips:
- It’s a flat 1-mile walk from the free car park.
- Swimming is technically allowed, but the water is glacial – the actors didn’t enjoy it, and neither will you.
- Best visited in autumn when the Caledonian pines turn gold.
- No facilities, so pee before you come.
⛪ Dunfermline Abbey, Fife
What was filmed: Westminster Abbey. The irony? The real Robert the Bruce is buried here (heart in Melrose, long story).
So Chris Pine stood feet from the actual king’s grave while pretending to be him at a fake English coronation. The abbey’s Romanesque nave dates from the 12th century – old enough to feel legit for 1306.
Travel tips:
- Entry is free (donation suggested).
- Bruce’s grave is near the east end, marked by a brass plate.
- The abbey also houses the remains of St. Margaret.
- Check opening hours online – they close for services.
- Park at the nearby St. Margaret’s car park (£1.50/hour).
🏛️ Glasgow Cathedral
What was filmed: Greyfriars Kirk – specifically the aftermath of John Comyn‘s murder.
The cathedral’s dark, atmospheric crypts (one of the few medieval structures in Glasgow to survive the Reformation) provided the perfect “oh god what did I just do” energy.
The murder of Comyn at the altar was Bruce’s original sin, and the cathedral’s stone walls make you feel the weight of it.
Travel tips:
- Free entry (bless).
- Open daily but closes for services.
- It’s the only medieval cathedral on mainland Scotland to survive the Reformation mostly intact.
- Look for the Blacader Aisle and the 15th-century wooden ceiling.
- The Necropolis cemetery next door is worth a wander – it’s like Glasgow’s answer to Père Lachaise.
🎓 University of Glasgow Cloisters
What was filmed: Two very different things – Westminster Palace‘s banquet hall AND King Edward I’s archery practice spot.
The iconic Gothic cloisters (part of the Gilbert Scott Building) scrubbed up nicely as a medieval royal palace. The arched walkways create natural framing for Edward’s cold, calculating archery sessions. Yes, those are real students in the background if you look closely.
Travel tips:
- It’s in the West End on Gilmorehill.
- Act like a student, and no one questions you.
- Best visited during university breaks (Christmas, Easter, summer) when it’s empty.
- The Hunterian Museum next door is free and excellent.
- Don’t touch the students’ takeaway coffee cups; they bite.
🏖️ Seacliff Beach, East Lothian
What was filmed: The final emotionally charged reunion scene between Robert and Elizabeth. After everything – the battles, the imprisonments, the near-death experiences – they finally find each other on this stunning stretch of sand.
The ruined Tantallon Castle looms in the background, reminding everyone that even happy moments happen near fortifications in Scotland.
Travel tip:
- Private road with a £3 parking fee (honesty box – bring coins).
- The beach is dog-friendly year-round.
- The tiny island of Craigleith is a seabird sanctuary.
- Check tides before visiting; at high tide, the beach nearly disappears.
- No facilities except a porta-potty, so plan accordingly.
🏕️ Mugdock Country Park, Stirling
What was filmed: The climactic Battle of Loudoun Hill – trenches, burning wagons, screaming men, and so much mud.
The production dug extensive ditches, built a pop-up medieval village, and basically created a war zone in a peaceful country park. The park’s natural gullies and wooded areas helped funnel the “English cavalry” exactly where the filmmakers wanted them.
Travel tips:
- Free entry, free parking.
- The 14th-century Mugdock Castle ruins are on-site (method acting!).
- Great walking trails when you’re not pretending to be a guerrilla warrior.
- The visitor center has a café and toilets.
- If you’re reenacting battle scenes, maybe warn the families with strollers first.
🌉 Berwick-upon-Tweed, England
What was filmed: The Old Bridge (built 1611) stood in for London Bridge, and the town’s quayside represented the Port of Glasgow.
Yes, the production crossed the border. But their defense? In 1320, Berwick was technically Scottish. So they’re not wrong. The bridge’s stone arches and medieval-ish vibes fooled everyone.
Travel tips:
- It’s England, but the locals sound Scottish.
- Don’t bring up the border debate.
- The bridge is pedestrian-only now, so you can reenact “crossing into London” without getting hit by a car.
- Berwick’s town walls are worth a walk – they’re from the Elizabethan era but still dramatic.
❓ Outlaw King FAQ
Was Duncarron an Outlaw King filming location?
Nope. Duncarron is a reconstructed medieval village used for other historical productions, but Outlaw King built its own village at Craigmillar. Don’t mix them up, or the reenactors will judge you.
Did they really put Elizabeth in a cage?
No! That was Bruce’s sister, Mary, and Isabella MacDuff. Elizabeth was a noble’s daughter, so she got “comfortable captivity” in English manor houses. Hollywood said “boring” and added a cage.
Was Edward II at the Battle of Loudoun Hill?
Historically? No. He was in London. The film put him there for drama. And honestly? It worked.
Is the Warwolf trebuchet real?
Yes! Edward-I really built that monster to level Stirling Castle in 1304. The film’s replica is terrifyingly accurate.
Does Outlaw King have a William Wallace reference?
Only briefly. Bruce mentions him. No Mel Gibson cameo. Sorry, not sorry.
Did Chris Pine do the full monty in Outlaw King?
There’s a brief nude scene (battlefield streaking, basically). The internet survived. You will too.
Where’s the real Robert the Bruce buried?
Dunfermline Abbey. His heart? Buried separately at Melrose Abbey. Yes, really. Scots are weird about hearts.
What are some other movies like Outlaw King?
- Robert the Bruce (2019)
- Braveheart (1995)
- After Braveheart (2015)
- The Last Kingdom (2015)
- Ironclad (2011)
- Rob Roy (1995)
📺 Where to Watch Outlaw King
After all that mud, blood, and medieval brooding, you’re probably dying to watch it again — here’s where to stream Outlaw King right now.
- Netflix: The film’s original home.
- Other platforms: Apple TV, YouTube Movies, Microsoft Store, Google Play.
- Where Was Outlaw King Filmed? - April 6, 2026
- Where Was Knightfall Filmed? Plus a Real Templar Itinerary - April 4, 2026
- Where Was Kingdom of Heaven Filmed? - April 4, 2026
Discover more from Ahoy Matey Blog
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.